ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
OH YES IT IS ! CONT .
FE-FI-FO-FUM ,
A GIANT OF A PANTO THIS WAY COMES !
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK AT THE ORCHARD THEATRE WILL BE A FUN-FILLED CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA TELLING THE FAIRY TALE OF A POOR LOCAL LAD WHO GOES ON A FANTASTIC ADVENTURE UP A BEANSTALK WHERE FORTUNE LIES . THIS YEAR ’ S PRODUCTION WILL BE THE PERFECT FESTIVE PANTO WITH A FABULOUS CAST AND ORCHESTRA , LAUGH-OUT-LOUD COMEDY , STUNNING SCENERY AND OF COURSE , PLENTY OF AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION .
We are pleased to announce that stage , screen and pantomime legend , the one-and-only Christopher Biggins will be starring in this year ’ s sensational family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk ! He will be joined by Kiera-Nicole ( Milkshake !) and comedian Rikki Jay ( The Big Big Talent Show ).
Best known for his numerous iconic television appearances , Biggins appeared opposite the late Ronnie Barker in the BBC sitcom Porridge , appeared alongside Michael Crawford in Some Mothers Do ‘ Ave ‘ Em and played Nero in the critically acclaimed dramatisation of I , Claudius . Despite his serious roles , and never one to not entertain , Biggins is also known and well-loved for his hosting credits , including cohosting Surprise , Surprise , On Safari , appearing on numerous celebrity specials and as King of the Jungle having won ITV ’ s I ’ m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here ! in 2007 . On stage he has starred as The Baker in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , played Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar and the Baron in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the West End .
Recently , he stopped by the Orchard Theatre to talk about what he ’ s been up to for the past 18 months , reopening theatres and pantomime .
Speaking about pantomimes returning , Christopher Biggins said “ I ' m really excited because it will be wonderful to bring back pantomime again to the people of Dartford . And also , we ' re bringing back pantomime to the whole country and that is what is so exciting .” Christopher has always been a strong voice for the theatre community . The arts and theatre industry has suffered greatly during the coronavirus pandemic due to theatre closures and Covid-19 restrictions . He described the events during the pandemic as “ a real horror ”. Like most theatres across the country , Christopher is enthusiastic and said “ it will get better and hopefully we will have a fantastic pantomime season here at the Orchard Theatre .”
Sharing the stage with Christopher Biggins this year is children ’ s TV presenter Kiera-Nicole as Princess Apricot . The youngest person ever to anchor the popular Channel 5 children ’ s show Milkshake !. In addition to her television work she has also regularly appeared live on stage in Milkshake Live ! and has starred in numerous pantomimes .
Working with Christopher Biggins again is comedian Rikki Jay as Silly Simon . Christopher described Rikki as “ a brilliant comic .” He added , “ I ' m really looking forward to working with him again , he ’ s wonderful .” With a television career launched from ITV ’ s The Big Big Talent Show , Rikki went on to appear on comedy programmes across UK television including The Big Stage , Jay Walking and Gagging For It and is a regular on Sky TV .
With tickets on sale now , you ’ ll want to snap up the best seats for Dartford ’ s iconic family pantomime !
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